Gifts that give more

Gifts that give more

Counter the consumerism of Christmas while still partaking in the festive spirit by choosing gifts that give more.

Gifts that give more

MONEY FOR MICRO VISION

Boh Runga and New Zealand Mint Jewellery have pledged $15 from the sale of each sterling silver Lotus pendant from September 1 to December 31, 2013 to World Vision Micro. So far more than $3000 has been raised from the sale of the pendants. www.nzmintjewellery.com

BEST FACE FORWARD

In New Zealand all net profits from the sale of Kiehl’s Limited Edition Holiday Collection for 2103 created in collaboration with NYC-based artist Eric Haze will go to local charities in each retail region that Kiehl’s is available including the Garden to Table programme in Auckland and Wellington Children’s Hospital. The limited edition holiday season products include the Ultra Facial Cream and Calendula Toner.

LOVE MUG

Not-for-profit organisation The Village Project and designer brand WORLD have joined forces for a second year to raise money to provide water for Ugandan communities in need. One-hundred per cent of the profits from the WORLD coffee cups, which are handcrafted on Waiheke Island, go towards The Village Project’s rain-harvesting initiatives in Uganda. “This season we’ve created a gorgeous coffee cup with a simple message of LOVE,” says WORLD designer Benny Castles.

OCEAN CONSERVATION

British beauty and body care brand Lush is showing its support for marine life conservationist group, Sea Shepherd’s 10th Antarctic campaign to protect whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary: Operation Relentless. Its previous mission Operation Zero Tolerance saved more than 900 whales. Lush is donating 100 per cent of the proceeds from sales of its Limited Edition Relentless whale-shaped soap to Operation Relentless. It’s scented with jasmine and ylang ylang.

HELPING COMBAT DEPRESSION

Earlier this year Melbourne resident Jarryd Haefele, 24, launched Zayn underwear to help raise awareness for male depression in Australia. Zayn underwear donates a percentage of every sale to mental health organisation beyondblue. The colourful range is available in briefs, hipsters and trunks are made from cotton and spandex. www.zayn.com.au

GIFT FOR GIFT

Purchase a $50 Bendon gift voucher this December and Bendon will gift a bra and brief set or pair of men’s briefs to someone in need. Bendon’s new Gift for Gift programme will be allocated to Kenyan communities. The underwear company has pledged to gift a minimum of $130,000 worth of underwear to be distributed in 2014 with the help of International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) who will ensure the underwear gifts reach the communities in most need including Kibera, Africa’s largest slum.

GIFT FOR LIFE

If you’re stuck for a gift idea for someone who you know doesn’t want more things, check out TEAR Fund’s Gift for Life catalogue which has everything from goats to flip-flops to water-pumps. Your friend will receive a Gift for Life card with an image and description of the unique gift you’ve chosen while the physical gift is received by a person who needs it more. www.giftforlife.co.nz

BELVEDERE RED VODKA

Belvedere Vodka is continuing its partnership with RED (founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver to engage businesses and consumers in the global fight against AIDS) with Belvedere RED – a Special Edition Bottle that raises proceeds for the Global Fund, the world’s leading financial programs to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Since its launch in 2011, contributions from the sale of Belvedere RED have raised enough money to provide support for more than 8,300 HIV positive women, giving them access to programs and treatment which can help to ensure the birth of a healthy, HIV-negative child. Learn more at www.red.org